Mixed Media Bookmark Tutorial

Hi all. I wanted to share a easy bookmark tutorial with all of you. I love bookmarks they are so much fun to make and use. They make great gifts also. 

Here is what you need

paper
acrylic paint
glue or  Mod podge
embellishments(I used washi tape and scraps from my painted background papers)
pen, marker or stamps for the words
thread 
laminate sheets or clear packaging tape
paint brush or credit card
sponge
stencils
ruler
scissors or cutter
hole punch

Start by covering your work space with newspaper or something that the paint can get on so you don't ruin your table.

Squeeze paint onto your paper(use like colors so you don't make mud. ie warm colors together, dark colors together). Use a paintbrush or credit card to spread the paint around randomly to cover the paper.Here I used a sponge.

Let the paint dry and use your sponge to paint over your stencils randomly to make a colorful background.

let the paint dry then glue or mod podge scraps of paper randomly on the paper. I used my paper scraps from my painted backgrounds.

It should look something like this with scraps of paper but the background still showing in places.

Let it dry and then turn it over. I have made my book marks 2 inches by 6 inches long. If you are using clear packaging tape you will need to make them less than two inches across to make sure the tape covers the paper completly unless you have wider packaging tape. I would say for regular wide tape to make your bookmarks 1 and 1/2 inches wide. Measure your paper with your ruler and then cut out your bookmarks

Here is where the fun embellishing part starts. I added washi tape first. You can cut out hearts like I did or paper and stamp or write words. Again I used scraps of my background papers

I then painted the back of my bookmarks with acrylic paint and a sponge. and let it dry.

Once the paint and glue are dry  then it's time to add the laminate plastic or tape. Make sure their are no air bubbles and add laminate to both sides of the paper .It's ok if the laminate goes over the sides you cut it off later. 

Cut your bookmarks so that a very thin strip of laminate overhangs off the sides. Punch a hole in the top of the bookmark and add your thread. You can also add a tassle.

There you have it Artsy bookmarks for the book lover!

Have a wonderful day and see you soon!

The first issue of Gypsy Jenn Art Zine is here!

The first issue of my new art zine is available now for digital download in my  shop. The hard copy is also available soon on Amazon.

Get your copy now Of this Full color art zine! Click here to purchase

Thanks for visiting, comment, subscribe , let me know what you think.

DIY stencils

Lately I have been doing a lot of Journaling and mixed media. I wanted to share a tutorial on how I make my stencils. It's really easy and with a few supplies you can make your own too.

What you need:
Cardstock
scissors
xacto knife(optional)
punches(optional)
hairspray or acrylic gloss
Pencil/pen

1. Start by punching out shapes with your punches, or if you are not using punches, draw designs on your cardstock.

2. Use the xacto knife to make a hole in the paper where you are going to cut. Use the scissors to cut out the shapes. Don't cut from the sides make sure you just cut the shape, that's why a Xacto knife is helpful if you don't have scissors with a sharp point. You could also use a Xacto knife to cut out the shapes but make sure you have something underneath like cardboard to keep from cutting into the surface of your table.

3. once your shapes are cut out spray both sides of the cardstock with acrylic gloss or hairspray. This helps keep your stencils lasting longer, wait till one side is dry before spraying the other. I suggest two coats of spray on each side just to be safe.

And that's it! Simple right?

If you want to see what I make with these stencils or have any questions leave your comments below. Thanks for visiting and have a wonderful day!!!!!

Free Printable Gratitude Journal page

Here is a freebie. Yah!!!!!

This is a excerpt from my gratitude journal available in my Etsy shop. All the journaling pages are different. This is exclusive for my blog readers, so please don't copy or print it to sell, personal use is fine.

Download here 

Welcome to the blog

So this blog is my way of giving back to the art community, I will be posting tutorials, reviews, pictures of my artwork, and journal pages. I will also have freebie digital downloads from time to time. Check back often I will be posting a lot in the following months, or subscribe to the email feed so you know right away when I post new content! Check out my Etsy shop too for lots of goodies, and soon I will start adding some workshops for free and some paid. So have fun and see you soon!